In an exciting twist to the Monday Night Football lineup, ESPN introduced The Simpsons Funday Football, a special alternate telecast of the Bengals vs. Cowboys game on December 9, 2024. Fans of the long-running animated show and NFL enthusiasts were treated to a unique experience that blended the thrills of football with the signature humor of The Simpsons.
The three-hour event mixed The Simpsons storyline with the football game. It transported fans to Springfield’s fictional “Atoms Stadium”, where iconic characters from the show, including Bart Simpson as a Bengal and Homer Simpson as a Cowboy, took center stage. Viewers will see the game play out at the Springfield Atoms stadium. “Moe’s Juice Bar” was on Homer’s side and Kamp Krusty, which included video games and skateboard ramps, was on Bart’s side, as Variety reported.
“This is a very Bart move, to get a bunch of money and buy the Batmobile,” The Simpsons‘ executive producer Matt Selman told Variety. “Bart is the bad boy who’s almost like Joe Burrow. They both have spiky blonde hair too. It’s almost too beautiful to be true.”
As The New York Times reported, Lisa and Marge also appeared as on-field sideline reporters, adding another layer of fun to the viewing experience.
The broadcast, available on ESPN+, Disney+, and NFL+, featured animated segments with the familiar voices of Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, and Dan Castellaneta. As part of the collaboration, real-life ESPN NFL analysts Mina Kimes and Dan Orlovsky, both Simpsons fans, provided live commentary, while Drew Carter handled the play-by-play.
This broadcast was the debut of The Simpsons team working on a live game broadcast, which included pre-recorded skits with cameos from the likes of Stephen A. Smith, Peyton Manning, and Eli Manning.
The broadcast was part of ESPN’s larger strategy to offer creative, alternate viewing options, following the success of last year’s Toy Story Funday Football. Fans could still enjoy the game through the traditional broadcast, but The Simpsons Funday Football offered a hilarious and innovative twist. The combination of animated humor and sports analysis made for an entertaining and family-friendly alternative.
The event was not just about watching football. In celebration, a Simpsons-themed donut truck made stops in Los Angeles and New York, serving up donuts inspired by the characters of The Simpsons, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day
As part of its global reach, the broadcast was available in over 145 markets, and ESPN even set up a 10-hour Simpsons-themed programming marathon leading up to the event.
The Simpsons Funday Football was a hit, drawing attention for its innovation, humor, and star power. With the continued success of such alternate broadcasts, fans can expect even more creative crossovers in future sports events.
